“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”“
Acts 1:4-5
–
AUGUST 20, 2024
Have you ever considered your typical response when given an order? When you’re growing up, it may come from your parents; as an adult it can come from your boss. Still, few of us have orders given to us daily—at least not the kind that greatly impacts our lives. During World War II, US troops were given orders to stay in certain places and to hold onto the battleground they stood upon. If they ignored the order and decided to wander off or leave the area because of their physical comfort or personal needs, it would have greatly impacted how the war went.
Sometimes we don’t like the orders we are given. In our text today, Jesus gives His followers an order to stay. Stay in the place where people knew the connection they had with Jesus. Stay in the place that was probably quite dangerous for them. Stay in the place that killed Jesus! How would they take this order?
If you read ahead, you know that they stayed and obeyed what Jesus ordered them to do.
What stands out to me is that Jesus gave an order, but with the order came a promise. Throughout scripture, God made many promises and covenants with people and kept every one. Now, Jesus reminds His followers that the Father promised to send the Holy Spirit. Why is this important?
Jesus will ascend to heaven, and the followers of Jesus will receive (and need) the ministry and support of the Spirit for what lies ahead. That’s the nature of the Spirit’s work. If you spend time seeking to understand the purpose of the Holy Spirit, you will see that the Spirit dwells within followers of Christ. The Spirit is also known as the comforter, guiding and strengthening us the more we surrender to God’s will. Jesus didn’t leave His people alone; He gave a command not because He was obsessed with control but because He wanted them to be blessed and transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s passage reminds us that just as the followers in Acts were to wait and then live with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, we are called to do the same today. When we continue to surrender to the Spirit’s work in our lives, it not only transforms us personally but changes the Church for God’s glory. May we rely on the Spirit today in everything we do, say, and think.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- How do you think the followers of Jesus felt about the order given to them?
- What does it say about God that He connected to the order a blessing?
- How are you seeing the Holy Spirit work in your life?
Church Reading Plan: Jeremiah 49; Psalm 26-27